A Little Internet Savvy Goes a Long Way
You’ve probably heard of the MySpace social networking Web site. But what about Xanga, Bebo and Orkut?
Though seemingly esoteric to many over 30, these public Internet sites are familiar territory to the younger generation. And, more so than their elders, the young people of today are likely to connect with Web friends there not only for casual chat but for surprisingly candid, documented confessions. So, when looking for evidence in criminal and other investigations, a working knowledge of popular Internet sites can be critical, according to the Associated Press.
Another key investigative technique is to ask a suspect’s friends about the kinds of Web activities he or she enjoys, so that these sites can be checked, too, notes Charles Cohen, an Arlington, Va., police lieutenant. Often, Internet providers are cooperative not only with warrants but with more informal requests for help.
“People under 25 tend to think about what is public versus private information differently from the rest of us, and that is great for law enforcement investigators,” says Cohen at a recent crime conference. Later he tells a reporter: “Your computer usage is in some ways a window into your soul.”
